The One About Taylor Swift (and some other stuff, too)
Episode Summary
Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid react to Taylor Swift’s engagement and explore how love, upheaval, and emotion shape creativity. They also unpack the power of “first pages,” share stories from SCBWI, and reveal details about their 2026 writing retreat.
Guest Bio
No guest joins this week—it’s an Ask Beth & Lisa episode. Your co-hosts are:
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Beth McMullen: Author of multiple middle-grade and adult novels, book coach, and co-creator of the Writers With Wrinkles podcast.
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Lisa Schmid: Middle-grade author, podcaster, and tireless supporter of the writing community.
Key Discussion Points
Taylor Swift’s Engagement & Creativity
The big headline: Taylor Swift is engaged! Beth and Lisa discuss how Taylor’s real-life love story mirrors the structure of a rom-com, and what this could mean for her future songwriting. Will bliss bring a new type of storytelling? They also highlight Swift’s unique gift for narrative songwriting, weaving emotional upheaval into music that resonates deeply with fans.
Emotional Fuel for Writing
From heartbreak to childhood trauma, strong creative work often stems from life’s most intense experiences. Lisa reflects on how her own novels drew heavily from childhood baggage and emotional turning points, while Beth emphasizes the craft of translating trauma into present-moment storytelling. Both agree: the bigger the emotion, the easier it is to put on the page.
The Power (and Pitfalls) of First Pages
Writers know that first pages can make or break a book—especially when querying agents. Beth and Lisa recall an SCBWI conference where editors harshly critiqued first pages in front of a live audience, leaving writers shaken. Their takeaway: critique must be constructive, actionable, and delivered with kindness. They also warn against info-dumping, remind writers to polish without over-fixating, and encourage early feedback that helps align the manuscript before it’s too late.
Retreat Announcement: Workshop & Wine in 2026
The co-hosts reveal plans for the Writers With Wrinkles Workshop & Wine Retreat in Spring 2026. Set in a charming wine-country location (to be announced), the retreat will blend learning, laughter, and inspiration. Unlike conferences held in sterile or intimidating venues, Beth and Lisa promise a welcoming space—complete with laughter, wine, and zero giant spiders.
The Waiting Game in Publishing
Lisa shares her experience being on submission with her latest middle-grade novel, comparing rejection emails to kamikaze dives into her agent’s inbox. The conversation highlights the universal truth that writers are always “waiting”—for agent responses, edits, or deals—and why community support makes the process less isolating.
Conclusion & Takeaways
This episode mixes pop culture delight with writing insight. Taylor Swift’s engagement becomes a lens for discussing how love and upheaval fuel art. The hosts remind writers that first pages are critical but shouldn’t stall progress, feedback should be kind, and rejections are inevitable but survivable. Most excitingly, Beth and Lisa are creating new opportunities for in-person connection through their upcoming retreat.
Listeners are encouraged to stay connected for retreat details, future first pages critiques, and agent interviews. And yes, to join in celebrating Taylor’s joyful news.
Mentioned Links
Beth McMullen
Author
Beth McMullen is the author of the Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series , the Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series, and The Secret of the Storm series (Aladdin/S&S).
She is also the author of the Spy Mom series (Hyperion).
Beth lives in Northern California with her husband, kids, and very grumpy cats. She's obsessed with podcasts and might give up writing in order to have more time to listen. Could happen.
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